Evidence workflow

Collect evidence without creating privacy harm.

A workflow for keeping URLs, screenshots, archives, and notes in a reusable structure.

Passive and safe research workflow

When I use this

You have URL and want to check it through safe, legal, source-based research.

What you get

Clean evidence row and verification status.

What I would be careful with here

The order I follow

Work through the steps in order.

Open an evidence row
Record date, source name, URL, and short description.
The source can be found again.
Add capture or archive
Keep screenshot context or archive URL next to the source row.
A screenshot is not presented as the only proof.
Separate finding and interpretation
Write what is visible, what is inferred, and what is missing.
A reader can separate evidence from analysis.
Reduce private data
Remove or generalize unnecessary personal details.
Only needed information remains.

Sources I open

What I can and cannot say

The evidence record keeps source, date, visible content, interpretation, and privacy limits separate.

Sources

Access Now Digital Security Helpline
OPSEC and researcher safety
Digital security assistance resource for civil society and at-risk users.
Open source
AFP Fact Check
Verification and fact-checking
Agence France-Presse fact-checking site covering viral claims, images, videos, and misinformation.
Open source
Bellingcat Online Investigation Toolkit
Verification and fact-checking
Curated toolkit and guides for open-source investigation methods.
Open source
CISA Cybersecurity Best Practices
OPSEC and researcher safety
US government cybersecurity best-practice guidance.
Open source
CISA Report Cyber Issues
Reporting templates
Official CISA page for reporting cyber incidents, phishing, vulnerabilities, and malware.
Open source
EFF Surveillance Self-Defense
OPSEC and researcher safety
Digital security guidance from the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
Open source